Notts LGBT say ‘Trump not welcome’ in UK

Thousands of campaigners are aiming to convince the government that Trump is not welcome due to a controversial immigration ban. Irina Janys investigates how Nottingham is getting involved and what it means for the LGBT community.

Nottingham is a very diverse city and for the past week minorities have felt frustrated over Trump’s inauguration and are now fighting for their beliefs against his intentions.

The city’s LGBT community believe Trump does not support their rights.

After a successful protest on Market Square with a turnout of over 1,000 people standing up to Trump, people in Nottingham have organised another protest march on 20 February.

Tania Thomas, a transgender advocate for the Nottingham Chameleons, is happy to get the opportunity to stand for rights she strongly believes in together with other communities who have mutual feelings.

She says: “It is important to highlight the LGBT and especially the issues now as so many members of the Trump administration will treat them as second class citizen and roll back such great work by Obama.

“Issues around transgender healthcare, equality and even the much advertised ‘bathroom bill’ which makes even going to the toilet a dangerous pastime.”

Campaigners will march from the Forest to Market Square and call on the City Council to say Trump is not welcome.

The event is supported by Nottingham People’s Assembly, Nottingham NUT, Nottingham Stand Up to Racism, Nottingham Stop the War and East Midlands CND.

On February 20 Parliament will debate whether Trump is allowed to make an official state visit to the UK after over 1,800,000 people signed a petition in the hope to prevent him from making the state visit.

People across the country are standing up to Trump to say no to Islamophobia, no to racism and no to sexism.

The 44-year-old, says: “It is very important to show solidarity to the wider community that intolerance isn’t tolerated here, our MPs and representatives will see this work and hopefully take it on board.”

Some feel there will likely be a backlash against the LGB and especially the transgender communities in America.

Tania adds: “It is also vital to join with others, unrelated campaigns and protest groups that were joined by a common cause, making new alliances, new campaign friends and share in our values of decency equality.

“The last protest was well attended and had a very diverse audience, indeed it was a fantastic springboard for other events such as this.”

The rate of hate crimes has risen week-on-week from those who think a Trump presidency validates their right to be hateful.

She says: “I would love the opportunity to address the assembly and stand with the oppressed minorities who will need all of our support.”

Hundreds of people attended the Nottingham anti trump Monday evening protest on 30 January

Louise Regan, volunteer at Nottingham People’s Assembly, says: “We have organised this event to show our opposition to the racist and sexist policies that are being pushed by the newly elected President in the US, and to show the diverse community of Nottingham that this is not something which we will tolerate in our city.

“It is important that we stand firm against all forms of oppression.”

Nottingham has a diverse community and most people respect and value this, many people have been appalled by the politics of hate and they want to show they are opposed to this.

The first demonstration was well attended but following Theresa May inviting President Trump to the UK people want to show there will be huge opposition to this

Louise says: “We need to keep reiterating the arguments against racism, sexism, Islamophobia so that people in our city feel safe and valued.

She adds: “We need to show solidarity with our local community but also nationally and internationally.”

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